Nokia, Intel to cooperate on connections

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Nokia, the world's leading mobile phone maker, has announced it
would join forces with the world's largest chip maker, Intel, to
provide handset users faster voice and data services, including
high-speed broadband connections to the internet.

The companies said the cooperation, using WiMAX technology for
mobile clients, building network infrastructures and market
development, will bring customers new services.

"For mobile devices and notebook platforms, Intel and Nokia will
work closely to identify and deliver the unique power and
performance requirements of the technology," Nokia said. "It will
also create new opportunities for the consumer and enterprise
markets."

The Finnish company was a founding member of WiMAX, a non-profit
corporation between leaders in the industry formed to promote and
certify compatibility and interoperability of broadband wireless
products.

It decided to leave the organisation in May 2004, but returned a
month later.

"To have innovators like Nokia working to bring WiMAX and other
broadband wireless technologies to the masses is very encouraging,"
said Sean Maloney, general manager of Intel's mobility group.

WiMAX, which stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave
Access, is a standards-based wireless technology that provides
high-speed connections over long distances. It can be used for
broadband connections, hotspots and high-speed enterprise
connectivity for businesses.

If Nokia decides to integrate WiMAX into its mobile handsets in
the future, it would be important for the future development of the
forum, according to Julien Grivolas, an analyst at London-based
Ovum, a technology research firm.

Dow Jones Newswires reported that Nokia expected to begin
selling its first WiMAX devices in 2008, but not necessarily using
Intel's chips. The cooperation means that engineers from the two
companies will begin working together and that no money will be
exchanged.

Nokia, based in Espoo just outside the Finnish capital, has
sales in 130 countries and about 55,500 employees.